You have some yachting experience and a good understanding of navigation. You will passage plan and skipper a yacht on short passages. You will experience being in charge and taking control of the yacht and the crew. The debrief each day is spent around the chart table discussing the passages and gaining from each other’s experience.
Please note: we also offer a 2 week Day Skipper Special on board the yacht for those of you wishing to pre-study navigation theory.
1 week (6 full days sailing)
5 days, 100 NM, 4 night hours aboard a sailing yacht
Basic navigation and sailing ability. Ideally you will have
attended the shore based RYA day skipper theory course or
have a good understanding of the following: Tidal heights,
tidal streams, compass variation, Course to Steer, passage
planning, compass bearings, clearing bearings, 3 position
fixes and knots. A basic understanding of lights and shapes
Preparing the yacht and crew, pilotage, navigation, seamanship and boat handling including sailing to a buoy/anchor and mooring alongside
Can skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day
From €1095/pp (shared cabin for 2)
From €1190 (own cabin)
52 Weeks of the year, subject to availability
RYA Day Skipper Practical Course Notes
Day Skipper Exercises for Sail and Power (Only available on Amazon)
Day Skipper for Sail and Power (Only available on Amazon)
RYA Sail Cruising and Yachtmaster Scheme – Syllabus and Logbook
RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Notes
For those clients wishing to study the book before you arrive, books can be purchased online prior to your arrival. Alternatively they can be purchased at our school when you arrive. Please note, we do not supply any books that are purchased through Amazon .
Below is a list of the course content you will understand by the end of your 6 day RYA Day Skipper Practical course with Canary Sail.
We will meet and welcome you and settle you onto your yacht. You are then invited to join us all for drinks to meet the team, your instructors and fellow students or crew. You will be made very welcome by the Canary Sail team and we can advise the best restaurants for you to sample!
After the initial safety briefing, you will learn the ropes, be shown how to prepare the boat for departure and almost always be taken out for an introductory sail in the wind acceleration zone (WAZ) just off he harbour wall. This is to help you feel comfortable and (for some of you) familiar with your new surroundings on board.
Instruction on boat handling in and around the marina before making the first passage normally through the Wind acceleration zone (WAZ) to Marina Los Gigantes situated on the northwest of Tenerife. Here you will moor the boat in ideal conditions and be ready to relax before heading off for dinner in one of the many restaurants or bars available. Los Gigantes is a perfect set off point for your next destination.
The schedule for these days will depend on what you hope to achieve during the course, the level you are working towards and the winds. We aim to sail around the north of La Gomera to Vueltas or Valle Gran Rey on the west of the island. This route takes us through no less than 2 more of our WAZ zones thus almost ensuring you of great sailing in superb conditions on all points of sail! This fishing harbour is a more rustic location offering a wide variety of foods from local fish to Moroccan cuisine, experiencing the sunset from this charming habour. The WAZ zone situated just north of Vueltas serves us with ideal training conditions for sailing exercises during the following day. You may then depart Vueltas and complete your circumnavigation of La Gomera calling into Santiago, a beautiful fishing village, either for the evening or as a set-off point for the highlight of your week – The Night Sail to San Sebastian La Gomera!
Further sailing, anchoring and general boat handling we finish back at your base in the afternoon where we begin the de-briefing, clean-up and issuing of your certificates. The course ends at around 4pm. Remember – your accommodation on the last evening is also included!
Leave the yacht at 09.00 latest please for your return home or to continue your holiday on La Gomera or Tenerife. Please see our stay page for accommodation.
Exclusive Course Yacht option for couples, families or groups on 36 to 50ft cruise yachts – now also including our Lagoon 38 C2 Catamaran option!
Yes. It is important to have reasonable knowledge of Day Skipper navigational theory in preparation for the Practical Course, for example:
Those who have sailed before with crewing experience or have completed the RYA Competent Crew Course.
We teach safety on board plus the skills required to plan short passages, handle the yacht and manage the yacht and crew to a competent level.
This course takes the basics of crewing a yacht previously learned and is an introductory level, teaching yacht skipper skills, yacht management and crew safely with confidence.
This qualification is widely accepted by most, if not all charter companies, most of which may restrict the holder to navigation during the hours of daylight.
The RYA stipulates a minimum of 5 days. Canary Sail run the course over a full 6 days, with 7 nights on board.
Your instructor will teach and demonstrate the skills required covering the Day Skipper Practical Syllabus. You will also have assistance from your instructor putting your navigational theory into practice.
This course is residential and conducted whilst staying on board the yacht. Included are the RYA Day Skipper Practical Course Notes book, Instructor training, hotel style bedding & towel, provisioning on board for breakfast and lunch, snacks and drinks. Marina fees and fuel costs are also included.
Ideally, you should have sailed before for a minimum of 100 NM and have experienced some hours of night sailing. Remember previous theory knowledge is a must!
A wide range of practical and theory courses offered all year round
Choose from a variety of sail cruises around the Canary Islands and beyond
From Bareboat to skippered charter, we have an option to suit your needs
Recommended accommodation options in La Gomera and Tenerife
Phone any time on our UK Divert No. (UK call cost): 0044 1252 837648
Phone (USA): 001 855 866-5566
Phone (Spain): 0034 922 141 967
Postal Address:
Apartado 211,
Calle Del Medio, 38800,
San Sebastian de La Gomera,
Islas Canarias, Spain
Office opening hours:
Monday-Closed
Tuesday-Friday 08.30-15.30
Calls diverted outside of office hours, excluding Mondays. Please send us an email and your enquiry will be dealt with promptly.
Please use the form below to email us with your enquiry
Canary Sail S.L
Looking to hire a yacht, take sailing courses or maybe just relax on a boat in the Canaries?
With over 20 years experience we offer an unrivalled range of RYA Courses.
